reporter writes: "According to a report by the "Times Online", President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed changing the work rules for public-sector employees so that they meet private-sector standards in France. For example, railroad operators can currently retire on a full pension at the age of 50 (which corresponds to roughly 32 years of employment if you began work at the age of 18). Other employees can retire on full pension after 37.5 years of work instead of the usual 40 years. Sarkozy has prosposed requiring that everyone work, at least, 40 years. Well, his proposal triggered a nasty response from the unions. According to a report by the "International Herald Tribune" and another report by the Associated Press, France is entering its second week of nationwide strikes, which are primarly affecting the transportation sector.

In the past, the public tended to support the strikers, but now most French people are condemning them for being a bunch of spoiled brats. Today, "despite freezing weather, about 10,000 people marched in Paris to demand that railroad workers return to work and that the government not back down from its efforts at reforms."

Are we seeing the birth of a new France, returning to its rightful place as an economic and cultural superpower? Vive la France!"